Vince Carter's resurgence due to play, not strategy

October 25, 2010|By Zach McCann, Sentinel Staff Writer

Last week, Ben Q Rock via Synergy Sports Technology came out with some numbers surrounding the invigorated preseason play of Vince Carter, who averaged 17.2 points, shot 60.7 percent from the field and hit 59.3 percent of his three-pointers this preseason. Here's what Rock wrote:

"More specifically, data from Synergy Sports Technology show that Carter's pick-and-roll involvement has dropped from 48.7 percent of his overall plays in 2009/10 to 34.4 percent this preseason. As a result of playing off the ball, he's able to take more in-rhythm shots off the catch (33.9 percent), and fewer contested ones off the bounce (21 percent)."

The cited statistics resonated with me because to the naked eye, it felt like the Magic were running more pick-and-rolls from the point guard position. And that would make sense for a number of reasons.

One, both point guards are fantastic on-ball offensive players and great in the pick-and-roll. Two, Carter was inefficient at times last season, and a slight drop in usage rate would help the team overall. And three, Carter's an above-average outside shooter off the pass, but -- like anyone else -- his percentage goes down when he's shooting off the dribble.

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, however, said there has been initiative to play Carter more off the ball, and the statistics are merely by chance.

"The hard part here a little bit is every time somebody takes a drop off, everyone wonders what's going on," Van Gundy said. "For us, we're a very balanced team. ... He's been playing really well. We want to get the ball in his hands as much as we can."

Van Gundy credited Carter's efficiency -- smarter shots, less turnovers -- to his offensive success this preseason, not any sort of strategic change.

Zach McCann can be reached at zmccann@orlandosentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ZachMcCann.